Bargaining

Bargaining Information

This site provides information about collective bargaining processes as well as updates on the status of relevant negotiations. 

Unless otherwise indicated, updates on this page are attributed to the respective University of Lethbridge Collective Bargaining Team.

Collective agreements that meet the needs of employees and respect the financial realities of the University of Lethbridge are in the best interests of our employees, our students, institution and the communities we serve.

Recent Updates

Earlier today, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) 053 informed University of Lethbridge (U of L) administration that its members have voted in favour of a mediator’s report written following mediation that concluded on Dec. 6, 2022. The U of L Board of Governors ratified the mediator’s recommendations on Dec. 8, 2022.

I am pleased that both parties have ratified the mediator’s recommendations and that a new collective agreement will be finalized.

The new agreement recognizes the critical roles AUPE members undertake on behalf of the University. Their collective efforts contribute to the programs and supports provided to our students as well as enable and support the work of all colleagues on our campuses. The new agreement also supports the University’s ability to provide affordable and high-quality educational opportunities to its students.

Details about the new agreement will be made public in the near future.

Sincerely,

Mike Mahon, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

On Dec. 6, 2022, mediation concluded between the University of Lethbridge (U of L) and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) 053. The mediator has written a report with recommendations that may be considered as part of a new collective agreement. On Dec. 8, 2022, the U of L’s Board of Governors ratified the mediator’s recommendations.

We will share further details about this matter as they become available.

Mediation between the University of Lethbridge and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Local 053 has concluded. The mediator will now write a report which will make recommendations that may be considered as part of a new collective agreement. 

A final agreement needs to be ratified by both parties. It is expected that AUPE will present the report to its membership, and the university administration to the Board of Governors, in the days ahead.

The University is hopeful progress made through mediation will lead to a ratified agreement that will provide certainty to our valued employees, our students, and to the university community. 

On behalf of the U of L, I would like to express my appreciation to the mediator, who stewarded negotiations between the administration and AUPE 053.

We will share further details as they become available.

Sincerely,

Mike Mahon, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

 

Earlier today, the University of Lethbridge and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) 053 agreed to return to mediation on Dec. 6, 2022, based on the recommendation of the Mediator for discussions to resume. The University remains hopeful that a new collective agreement can be achieved.

I know this is a busy time of year for you, given that you are wrapping up your Fall term assignments and preparing for final exams. However, I want to provide an update to you on the current status of negotiations and mediation between the University and AUPE 053.

Current state

The University and AUPE jointly entered into mediation on November 24–25, 2022, and an agreement was not reached during this process. As mediation has not been successful, a “cooling-off” period of 14 days has begun and the parties are permitted to continue to try to reach an agreement during this period. At the conclusion of the cooling-off period, AUPE may hold a strike vote.

Here is some additional information I hope is helpful:

Which ULethbridge employees are members of AUPE Local #053? 

Student recruitment officers, many academic advisors, many employees who provide services in Student Enrolment, Registrar Services and the Library, EAP teachers, some IT employees, some scholarships and financial aid employees, caretaking employees, and other colleagues who provide important frontline services to students and maintain the University’s facilities.

Examples of ULethbridge employees who are not members of AUPE #053.

Mental health counsellors in Counselling Services, physicians in the Health Centre, librarians, professors, instructors, and all managers are not members of AUPE. These employees would continue with their job duties in the event of an AUPE labour disruption.

We remain hopeful that through good faith negotiations on both sides, a new collective agreement can be achieved. Future updates regarding this negotiation process will be shared at ulethbridge.ca/bargaining

Brief updates will also be provided in upcoming weekly ULethbridge Connect student newsletters sent to your inbox on Thursdays.

Wishing you much success and well-being as you wrap up the Fall 2022 term.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Massey

On April 26, 2022, and after over 16 days of negotiations since October 2020 the negotiating committees representing the Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) 053 agreed to jointly apply for formal mediation. Mediation began on November 24, 2022, and continued into November 25, 2022.

While discussions leading up to the mediation process had been productive and positive, the mediation process has not led to an agreement. 

As mediation has not been successful, a “cooling-off” period of 14 days will now begin. At the conclusion of the cooling-off period AUPE may hold a strike-vote.

The University bargaining team is disappointed in this outcome and felt that its offers have been fair, equitable, and entirely consistent with the offers accepted by AUPE and other bargaining agents in 16 other Alberta post-secondary institutions.  The University’s offer at mediation included a guarantee related to employment security, something only two other post-secondary institution settlements have included. 

A strike vote would destabilize our University at a time when it is recovering from impacts related to COVID-19 and another recent labour dispute. A collective agreement that meets the needs of employees and respects the financial realities of the University of Lethbridge is in the best interests of our employees, our students, institution and the communities we serve. 

We sincerely hope AUPE will continue to engage in dialogue with the University in the hope of avoiding any potential labour disruption.

-  The University of Lethbridge Collective Bargaining Team

16+

The number of bargaining sessions between the University and AUPE bargaining teams since October 2020.

April 26, 2022

The University of Lethbridge and AUPE Local #053 jointly apply for formal mediation.

Employee Groups

Staff and faculty compose a number of employee groups on campus. AUPE is one of four unions at the U of L - which is also home to a number of non-unionized employee groups.